Lanting prelude

Chapter 58 Coup
Xiao Junmo glanced in the direction of Taiji Palace, and said lightly: "Have you seen those majestic and majestic palaces? There is the heart of Datang. Tonight, someone is deliberately trying to stab it."

The Shangyuan Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is one of the most solemn festivals in the Tang Dynasty. The whole country celebrates it together.

In a year, Chang'an City is only open to night ban on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and one day before and one day after.During these three days, the entire imperial capital was filled with fire, trees, silver flowers, lanterns and festoons, tourists like weaving, and horses and horses like dragons. It can be described as "nine streets with lights and shadows, thousands of doors to the moonlight" and "everywhere with lights, every city with music and songs everywhere".Especially on the night of the Shangyuan Festival, no matter the princes, nobles, relatives or common people in Chang'an City, they will gather all night long to celebrate, celebrate with lanterns, and set off fireworks to enjoy the beauty of this annual good day.

On this day, the Baifu Hall of Taiji Palace was even more beautifully decorated and magnificent.The inside and outside of the main hall are full of unique and exquisite lanterns of various shapes and sizes, which is pleasing to the eye.

Baifu Hall is located in the west of Liangyi Hall, with Baifu Gate in front.In March of the ninth year of Wude, Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan had a banquet here to meet the court envoys from all over the country who came to Beijing.After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he had many banquets with envoys of the Siyi and princes and ministers in this hall.

At night, at 20 o'clock, the Baifu Gate slowly opened, and hundreds of princes, concubines, princesses, son-in-laws, honored ministers, and imperial wives filed in.Li Chengqian, Li Yuanchang, and Du He walked slowly through Baifu Gate and entered the palace.He swept his eyes and saw that the fifty "Forbidden Army" soldiers in the hall were roughly divided into three groups: the first group of ten soldiers guarded the Baifu Gate; the second group of 20 soldiers stood on both sides of the corridor; the third group [-] people, separated on both sides of the gate of the hall.

Of course, 50 of these 25 people are Li Chengqian's guards in the East Palace.

According to Li Chengqian's request, this group of people did not mix and match with Li Anyan's subordinates equally, but five people guarded the Baifu Gate, and the other 20 people were all placed on both sides of the Baifu Palace gate.Such an arrangement is naturally to ensure that Li Chengqian can order his own people to enter the palace to control Li Shimin as soon as the operation begins.

At this moment, Li Chengqian discovered that Li Anyan had indeed carried out the plan to the letter: there were indeed his guards from the Eastern Palace on both sides of the palace gate, and the leader was a Qianniu Beishen named Han Cong.

When they entered the palace gate, Li Chengqian and Han Cong secretly exchanged glances.

According to the plan, when the banquet was halfway through, Li Chengqian would issue an order under the pretext of "throwing the wine pot and kicking the food table", and then Han Cong would lead the crowd in and kidnap Li Shimin.

As the crown prince, Li Chengqian's seat is the first on the left side of the hall; the second is Jin Wang Li Zhi, the third is Wu Wang Li Ke, and the other princes are arranged in order of seniority.Li Yuanchang, Du He, Li Daozong, Yuchi Jingde and others sat on the right side of the main hall.Among them, Li Daozong attended as a senior county king, and Yuchi Jingde attended as a veteran minister.

Li Shimin sat on the imperial couch, smiling, and seemed to be in a good mood.When Li Chengqian stepped forward to see the ceremony, he couldn't help imagining the scene where he would kidnap his father and force him to issue an edict to abdicate later, he couldn't help feeling nervous and excited.Suddenly, he noticed the wrinkles on his father's forehead and the gray temples, and felt a little sad for a moment.

I'm sorry father, it's not that my son is unfaithful and unfilial, and wants to usurp your throne. It's that Wei Wang and Wu Wang are staring at my son, making my son deeply worried and restless, so I can only take risks and put all my eggs in one basket , Just as you had no choice but to launch the Xuanwumen Change in the ninth year of Wude.

Forgive me, father, my son really did it out of necessity!
Until the ceremony was over and he returned to his seat, Li Chengqian was still repeating these words over and over in his heart...

After a while, Zhao Dequan announced the beginning of the banquet with a shrill voice.Li Shimin picked up the wine cup and said auspicious words for the occasion as usual.All the guests stood up together, toasted one after another, and recited a bunch of toasts in unison, and then the monarch and ministers drank the wine in the glasses together, and the banquet officially began.

The first program of the banquet, as usual, is to play "Qin Wang Breaking the Battle" and dance "Seven Virtues Dance".Since Li Shimin ascended the throne, every palace banquet must have this music and dance to show that he will not forget the original meaning.Li Chengqian has watched and listened to it countless times since he was a child, and he has long since lost interest in it. In addition, he was nervous about the action, and he was stunned for a while.

"What's the matter, brother? Is there something on your mind?"

The music and dance ended at some point, and the banquet entered the stage of free toasting.Li Ke, king of Wu, was standing in front of him with a wine cup in his hand, smiling.

Li Chengqian came back to his senses, got up slowly, and smiled reservedly: "Could it be that the third brother has been paying attention to me, otherwise how would you know that I have something on my mind?"

"Brother has wronged me by saying that. You are the one who is so far away, no one can see it, so why should I pay special attention?"

"I don't care about other people. It's just that your eyes are so bright that you make me, the big brother, a little scared!"

Li Ke laughed: "Brother really knows how to joke. You are the prince of the Tang Dynasty, why should you be afraid of my younger brother who is a concubine?"

"The third younger brother is both wise and brave, and he is outstanding in martial arts. The only pity is that he is a concubine." Li Chengqian suddenly approached him and said in a low voice, "If not, Father might have made you the crown prince long ago."

"Brother said that, it seems that he suspects that I have the intention to seize the heir!" Li Ke kept smiling, "If the emperor listens to it, wouldn't it trap me in injustice?"

"Don't do anything wrong in your life, and don't be afraid of ghosts knocking on the door in the middle of the night." Li Chengqian smiled charmingly, "If you don't have this heart, even if the father listens, what can I do to you?"

"You can't say that. Since ancient times, it's not rare for three people to become tigers and one mouth to make money? If you have a clear conscience, everything will be fine. Then how can there be unjust prisons in the world?"

"Don't worry. Father is a sage, and he likes you so much, how can he let you go to jail? Unless..." Li Chengqian moved closer, his nose almost rubbed against Li Ke's face, "Unless, you really have evil intentions, Let the emperor grasp the handle."

"Brother, you are really interesting. You talked about things that didn't show up in the first place." Li Ke shook the wine cup in his hand and said with a smile, "My hands are sore from holding this wine. Can you show me my face? Little brother toast you?"

"Sorry third brother, I feel a little unwell today, I really can't drink this wine." Li Chengqian put his hands behind his back and said lightly.

Li Ke's hand to raise his glass froze in mid-air, and raised his eyebrows: "Brother, really don't give me this face?"

"As I said, I'm not feeling well today. I'll be the host another day, and I'll definitely have a drink with my third brother."

When the two were in a stalemate, Li Zhi, who was blushing, suddenly raised his glass and came forward: "Brother, third brother, on this beautiful occasion, it's time to get drunk and rest, why change the day? Come on, little brother, let me offer a toast to the two big brothers." !"

"Kids, why drink so much wine? Eat your food!" Li Chengqian flicked his sleeves and sat down.

Li Zhi was embarrassed: "Big...Brother, I'm already 16 years old, I'm not a kid anymore."

"Come on ninth brother, since eldest brother doesn't drink, let's have a drink." After Li Ke finished speaking, he drank the wine and showed the bottom of the glass.Li Zhi smiled foolishly, and quickly drank his own wine.Li Ke cast a vague glance at Li Chengqian, and returned to his seat.

On the imperial couch, Li Shimin chatted happily with Zhao Dequan beside him, in fact, they had a panoramic view of this scene.

While Li Shimin was holding a palace banquet in Baifu Hall, Changsun Wuji was also hosting a banquet for civil and military officials above the third rank in the Shangshu Province in the imperial city.Liu Ji, Cen Wenwen, Hou Junji, Du Chuke, Liu Dewei and others were all on the list, and even Fang Xuanling, who had been suspended for more than half a year, was also invited.

With no emperor present, the atmosphere here is much more relaxed.Moreover, this is the first time that Changsun Wuji presided over a banquet for hundreds of officials as the chief prime minister, and he also intentionally created a harmonious atmosphere, so at the beginning of the banquet, he took the initiative to tell a few latest anecdotes, which amused the officials laugh.

On the surface, Hou Junji was joking with everyone, but inwardly he felt uneasy.

Because he found that one of the officials who attended the banquet today was missing an important person—Li Shiji.

"Liu Shizhong," Hou Junji couldn't bear it at last, and asked Liu Ji who was sitting next door, "Why didn't this General Li Shiji come? Could it be that he was going to the Holy Majesty's palace banquet?"

"That can't be done." Liu Jie said, "In terms of titles, General Li is only the Duke of the state and has not been crowned king, so how can he participate in the palace banquet? If you want to talk about the status of a hero, he is also among them, but he is not yet ranked. No."

"There are so many meritorious officials in the imperial court, so far I have never seen His Majesty take a seat." Hou Junji suddenly became interested in this topic, "How dare Liu Shizhong assert that Li Shiji can't be ranked?"

Liu Jie had already drank a lot for a while, and now he was a little tipsy and talked a lot, so he said with a smile: "How does Hou Shangshu know that the Holy Majesty has not arranged seats for the heroes?"

Hou Junji felt that there was something in his words, so he moved closer and said in a low voice: "Liu Shizhong, you are an important person, and you are deeply trusted by the Holy Majesty, have you ever heard the Holy Majesty talk about this matter?"

Liu Jie chuckled, and put on a show: "Even if there is, Liu doesn't dare to talk nonsense!"

Hou Junji hurriedly poured a glass of wine for him, and put on a flattering smile: "Brother Sidao, our friendship is not shallow, why are you keeping it a secret from me?"

Liu Ji thought, after all, Hou Junji is also the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and his qualifications are profound, so it is not good to refute his face too much, so he looked around, and said in a low voice: "This matter is still confidential, as long as Hou Shangshu knows it, it must not be rumor!"

"Of course." Hou Jun was overjoyed, "Hou has his own measure."

Liu Jie approached him: "A few days ago, the Holy Majesty drew up a list of heroes who founded the country and handed it to Yan Liben, asking him to draw a portrait, which will be hung in Lingyan Pavilion afterwards."

"The list of heroes?" Hou Junji opened his eyes wide, "How many people are there?"

"24 people." Liu Ji looked at him and smiled slightly, "Don't worry, Hou Shangshu, your name is among them."

Hou Junji felt a little relieved when he heard this, and hurriedly asked, "Who is ranked first?"

Liu Ji smiled without saying a word, and pouted at the eldest grandson Wuji who was sitting on the first seat.

"Sure enough!" Hou Junji curled his lips, "Then, where is Fang Xuanling?"

"Fifth, second only to Wei Zheng."

"Where's Yuchi Jingde?"

"Seventh, after Gao Shilian." Liu Ji said, and glanced at him, "Hou Shangshu only cares about others, and you don't even ask about your own ranking?"

"Myself?" Hou Junji laughed at himself, "It is conceivable that you will be thankful for not being at the bottom."

A few years ago, he led an expedition to the Western Regions and wiped out Gaochang, but because he embezzled some treasures privately, not only did he not reward him for his meritorious deeds, but was thrown into prison by Li Shimin.Thinking of this, the anger in Hou Junji's heart surged up.Although Li Shimin later pardoned him, he has become increasingly estranged from him since then, now that Hou Junji ranks the meritorious officials, how dare Hou Junji expect Li Shimin to make him the top?

"Hou Shangshu doesn't need to belittle himself." Liu Ji said, "Although your ranking is not high, it is not at the bottom."

"Dare to ask, how many places am I in?"

"Seventeen."

Hou Junji smiled wryly.This result can only be said to save him face, but it is far below his expectations.Back then, he and Yuchi Jingde could be said to be the two most important warriors in the Xuanwumen Incident, because they were the two of them who followed Li Shimin into the palace and controlled Gaozu.In terms of meritorious service, he should be ranked in the top ten no matter what, at least he must be ranked eighth after Yuchi Jingde, right?
If so, he is also qualified to participate in the palace banquet of Baifu Palace today just like Yuchi Jingde.

Thinking of this, Hou Junji suddenly came to his senses, and couldn't help cursing himself as worthless in his heart: If today's coup d'état succeeds, he will be the number one hero in the new dynasty, why care about Li Shimin's hero seat? !

"Hou Shangshu," seeing him in a daze, Liu Ji touched him, "I want to know, among the meritorious officials in Lingyan Pavilion, which ones are really at the bottom?"

Hou Junji came back to his senses: "Mr. Liu, please tell me."

"First to last, Qin Shubao; second to last, Li Shiji."

Hou Junji laughed dumbfounded.

No wonder Liu Ji was so sure just now, saying that Li Shiji was not qualified to participate in the palace banquet. It turned out that he was the last one.Come to think of it, this Li Shiji must have been placed in such a low position because Li Shimin was deeply dissatisfied with his ineffectiveness in investigating the Tianxing League recently.

"Liu Xianggong, tell me," Hou Junji returned to the original topic, "If Li Shiji didn't go to the palace for the banquet, then the Minister of Finance should have come? He didn't even come here, wouldn't it be too disrespectful to the eldest grandson Xianggong?" Have you lost your face?"

"You can't say that. As far as I know, he seems to be rewarding his subordinates in his own yamen tonight."

When Hou Junji heard this, he couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat.

Xuanjiawei's government office is just across the street from Shang Shuxing. If this news is true, then Xuanjiawei must be aware of it when he makes a move, and he will be able to kill him in an instant, which is enough to form an overwhelming advantage over him in terms of military strength!

What should I do? !

He only brought a hundred or so elite soldiers to sneak into the imperial city tonight, and he is ambushing outside Shang Shu Sheng's wall at the moment. He thought it would be more than enough to deal with Shang Shu Sheng's dozens of guards and civil officials like Changsun Wuji, but he never expected Li Shiji And his minions will appear out of thin air!
In previous years, during the Lantern Festival, the Xuanjiawei would go back to their respective houses on vacation. Why did they suddenly want to have a banquet this year?Could it be that Li Shiji heard some rumors in advance, so he pretended to have a banquet in the name of gathering his troops to prevent accidents?
However, there is no turning back when the bow is opened.Now that he has come to this point, he can only rush forward regardless of everything.Even if Li Shiji had taken precautions, he could only fight to the death!As long as he hijacks Changsun Wuji and Baiguan and occupies Shangshu Province, he will have the upper hand, and he is not afraid that Li Shiji will not obey!
Thinking of this, Hou Junji couldn't sit still any longer, so he found an excuse to leave the table quietly, and then hurried to the gate of Shangshu Province, found Hou Qi, the leader of the personal army in ambush in the dark, and ordered him to take people to Xuanyuan immediately. Armor reconnaissance.

Hou Qi took the order and left.

After a stick of incense, Hou Qi touched it again, and said with joy on his face: "My lord, the people of Xuanjiawei are indeed having a banquet, but they are all drunk, so according to my subordinates, there is nothing to worry about. "

Hou Junji secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but he was still not at ease, and said in a deep voice: "Take thirty brothers and go to ambush outside the Xuanjiawei gate to prevent fraud. If they make any changes, kill them immediately! "

"Obey." Hou Qi led the people away immediately.

Hou Junji took a horizontal knife handed over by the soldiers beside him, pulled it out abruptly, looked around the remaining six or seventy people, and said with emotion: "Brothers, the emperor has no way, let the villain plot to seize the heir apparent and murder the crown prince. , I, Hou Junji, as the founding fathers of the Tang Dynasty, must not just watch those villains wreak havoc on the country and destroy the peaceful and prosperous world! Therefore, for the sake of the righteousness of the family and the common people in the world, we will put that stupid man tonight The emperor pulled down his horse and assisted the crown prince to ascend the throne. After tonight, all of you will be the chief ministers of the new dynasty, and you will surely enjoy endless glory and wealth in this life! Brothers, success or failure depends on one stroke. Anyone who wants to go in with me, no matter who is in the way, they will be shot to death!"

When all the soldiers heard the words, they were all gearing up and their eyes were shining.

"Let's go!" Hou Junji waved his horizontal knife and walked towards the gate of Shangshu Province first.Everyone drew their knives out of their sheaths and followed closely behind.

In the backyard of Prince Wei’s Mansion, there is a clean and elegant Buddhist hall, on which are enshrined sandalwood statues of the three saints of the West: Amitabha Buddha in the middle, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva on the left, and Mahasthama Bodhisattva on the right.

At this moment, three sticks of incense were lit on a copper incense burner in front of the Buddha statue, and a burst of green smoke curled up.

Li Tai and Su Jinse sat side by side on the two futons in front of the Buddha, both of them slightly closed their eyes.

"Jinse, it's extremely dangerous tonight, you shouldn't have come." Li Tai said.

"That's why the slave family is coming." Su Jinse said, "You and my father are both in danger. How can you feel at ease if you let the slave family stay at home alone?"

Li Tai sighed, and turned to look at her: "I'm sorry Jinse, I've been retreating to observe the precepts recently, it's so inconvenient, I left you out..."

Su Jinse also opened her eyes, and smiled sweetly: "Your Highness, don't say that. As long as Your Highness has a servant in his heart, the servant will be satisfied."

Li Tai looked at her steadfastly, and suddenly held her hand: "Jinse, after tonight, the crown prince will surely fall. If the emperor allows me to enter the East Palace, I will try to give you a title."

"I hope Your Highness will come true and get what you want. As for the slave family, it doesn't matter whether you have a title or not..."

"No. This is my promise, and I will do what I say!"

Su Jinse was greatly moved when he heard this.

At this time, around the Wei Palace, there were hundreds of strong and strong men mixed in the crowd watching the lanterns, approaching the Wei Palace from all directions without any haste.

The leader is Xie Shaozong.

He personally led more than a hundred capable men of Xi Tang Duo, riding horses from east to west from the side street south of Wei Wang's mansion.

The main entrance of Prince Wei's Mansion is on the south wall of Yankang Square. Xie Shaozong himself will lead this team to attack from the front, and a team will be arranged in each of the other three directions.

After a while, Xie Shaozong will set off eight bundles of five-colored fireworks in front of the south gate of Prince Wei's Mansion. Using this as a sign, four groups of people will launch a surprise attack on Prince Wei's Mansion at the same time...

In Pingkangfang on the night of Shangyuan, in order to attract customers and show ostentation, various brothels all invested a lot of money in the design and production of lanterns, and competed to exaggerate them. Many people were attracted, so the streets and alleys were crowded with horses and pedestrians.

The weather is beautiful today, the night sky is clear, and a bright full moon hangs alone in the sky.

Under the cold moonlight, on a high roof ridge in the southeast corner of Pingkangfang, there were actually two people sitting side by side.

They are Xiao Junmo and Chu Lisang.

Xiao Junmo sneaked into the royal house in Wuyi Lane of Chongdefang at dusk, found Chu Lisang, and said to take her to Pingkangfang to watch the lanterns.Of course Chu Lisang was very happy, but when he heard that it was a place with fireworks and willow lanes like Pingkangfang, he couldn't help being surprised, saying that the city was full of lanterns, so why would he go to that kind of place.Xiao Junmo said that the lanterns in Pingkangfang are the most beautiful, and there are very few of them in Chang'an City.Chu Lisang didn't say anything, and just followed him.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered Pingkangfang, he suddenly saw a sea of ​​people, and at a glance, they were all filled with black heads. Chu Lisang was immediately discouraged, saying that you brought me to watch the lantern or people.Xiao Junmo smiled without answering, took her hand, shouted "Go", and led her up to the eaves of the street, and then said with a smile: "Looking up at the moon, bowing down to watch the lights, even if there are all kinds of disturbances in the world of mortals, how can you not?" Can it prevent me from walking alone?"

Chu Lisang looked up at the bright moon, looked down at the beautiful lanterns with different shapes around him, looked at the crowds of people rushing under his feet, and listened to the hustle and bustle of the city. A wonderfully loud and peaceful feeling.

"You are smart." Chu Lisang said, "But you were wrong just now, you are not 'walking alone' tonight."

"Yes, what I just said was my feeling of watching lanterns alone in previous years." Xiao Junmo said, and suddenly looked at her with scorching eyes, "But this year is different, with you by my side, so this sentence should be changed to 'even though there are all kinds of disturbances in the world of mortals , won’t it prevent you and me from holding hands together’?”

When Chu Lisang heard the word "holding hands", he suddenly remembered the poem "Hold your hand and grow old with you" in the "Book of Songs", his cheeks flushed slightly, and he said: "I will not hold hands with you in public. "

"How can there be a large crowd? Look around, isn't it just you and me in the entire Chang'an City?" Xiao Junmo still looked directly at her, and immediately grabbed her hand without any explanation, "Come on, let's see this one." Chang'an belongs to you and me."

After Xiao Junmo finished speaking, he dragged her to run on the roof.

Feeling the warmth coming from his palm, Chu Lisang thought that there was indeed no one else up there, so she quietly and firmly held his hand, and ran quickly after him.

In this way, the two of them enjoyed another beautiful and peaceful Chang'an that only belonged to them above the bustling and noisy Chang'an.Sometimes they run, sometimes stop, sometimes walk hand in hand, sometimes sit side by side...

At this moment, they were sitting on the roof of a three-story pavilion. Chu Lisang looked around and couldn't help sighing: "Chang'an is so beautiful!"

"Yes, that's why many people want to take it as their own, and do everything possible to become the master of Chang'an." Xiao Junmo thought thoughtfully, "But whether it is the princes in the court, or the thousands of people in the market, , are all intoxicated in this prosperous and peaceful world, and how many people know that behind this beautiful and peaceful scene, how many plots and killings are brewing and happening..."

Chu Lisang heard the implication, frowned and said, "What are you referring to?"

Xiao Junmo glanced in the direction of Taiji Palace, and said lightly: "Have you seen those majestic and majestic palaces? There is the heart of Datang. Tonight, someone is deliberately trying to stab it."

He said it lightly, but Chu Lisang was shocked: "Who is it?"

"The crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, Li Chengqian."

"What does he want to do?"

"Hijack the emperor and usurp the world."

Chu Lisang jumped up in fright, opened his eyes wide and said: "Then you still have the heart to sit here?!"

"Otherwise where should I be?" Xiao Junmo looked at her with a smile.

Seeing that he was so calm, Chu Lisang understood a little bit, sat back and said, "You must have reported to the emperor in advance, right?"

Xiao Junmo shook his head.

"No?" Chu Lisang was shocked, "Why didn't you report it?"

"I mobilized people from the Heavenly Punishment Alliance who were lurking in the imperial army and penetrated into the East Palace to grasp the plan of the prince's coup." Xiao Junmo said, "If I report in advance, I must explain everything to the emperor. Then you say, I How should I explain it? Tell him that I am the leader of the Heavenly Punishment Alliance, and that the general of the Forbidden Army is also one of my people?"

"This...Of course you can't say these things." Chu Lisang said, "You can say that you used the identity and power of Xuanjiawei. Isn't Xuanjiawei specialized in investigating major cases?"

"No matter how capable the Xuanjia Guard is, he doesn't have the authority and courage to order the generals of the imperial guards around the emperor, right?"

Chu Lisang frowned: "That's true."

"So, I have no choice but to remain silent." Xiao Junmo spread his hands.

"But you won't sit on the sidelines, will you?" Chu Lisang stared at him, "You must have taken all the precautions, right?"

"Why can't I sit on the sidelines?" Xiao Junmo deliberately teased her, "Anyway, the emperor is not a good person. He kidnapped you and your father, and almost killed you. Didn't I do this to vent your anger on you and your father? ?”

"Don't tease me." Chu Lisang gave him a white look, "You know I'm not the kind of person who doesn't understand the general situation and will take revenge. If the crown prince succeeds in rebelling, the society will definitely fall apart, let alone Chang'an, the whole world will be in chaos. How could I not consider these? How could you not understand me? "

"Yes, I understand you, and you understand me." Xiao Jun smiled silently, "Is this what people in the world often say about heart-to-heart bonding?"

"Wrong, this is called a hero who sees the same thing!" Chu Lisang rolled his eyes at him coquettishly again, "Stop talking nonsense, tell me what is the prince's treasonous plan, and how did you prevent it?"

Only then did Xiao Junmo put away his smile, and looked at Tai Chi Palace dimly: "While we're talking, the crown prince has probably already made a move..."

In the Baifu Hall, the banquet was approaching its climax.

According to the original plan, Du He should leave Baifu Hall with an excuse at this time, go to the nearby Qianqiu Hall and Chengqing Hall to summon the Donggong soldiers who had lurked in beforehand, and lead them to surround Baifu Hall to cooperate with Li Chengqian's actions.

However, to Li Chengqian's surprise, after drinking for three rounds, Du He just wanted to leave the banquet when he was stopped by Yuchi Jingde, who was flushed from drinking, and insisted on asking him to drink with him.Du He had no choice but to accompany him to drink two cups, but Yuchi Jingde still refused to let him go, scolding him for drinking like a woman, not happy at all.Du He was full of anger, but he didn't dare to attack.

Li Chengqian was anxious and gave Li Yuanchang winks frequently.Li Yuanchang hurried forward to make a rescue: "General Yuchi, my son-in-law is in a hurry because he drank too much, you have to let him go to the latrine and drink with you when he comes back?"

Yuchi Jingde stared, and said in a rough voice: "How do you know he is anxious? Could it be that you are the roundworm in his stomach?"

Li Yuanchang saw that the old guy was already drunk, so he didn't bother to argue with him, and said with a smile: "The old general is so excited, why don't you let me have a few drinks with you?"

"Your Majesty, are you serious?"

"Is this still fake?"

"Okay!" Yuchi Jingde suddenly grabbed a jug on the dining table, and stuffed it into his hand, "If you want to drink, drink to your heart's content!"

Li Yuanchang hurriedly caught it, but was dumbfounded.

While the two were talking, Du He tried to slip away, but Yuchi Jingde snatched him back and firmly grabbed his arm: "My son-in-law, we haven't finished our business yet, you want to slip away?" He grabbed a jug and stuffed it for him, then picked up a jug himself, laughed loudly and said, "Come on, if you have the guts, the three of us will dry up the wine together!"

Li Yuanchang and Du He looked at each other, dumbfounded.

"What, it's all over?" Yuchi Jingde looked disdainful, "Are you two still men?"

When the three of them were in a stalemate, Li Daozong, who was sitting next to Yuchi Jingde, couldn't see it, so he walked over: "I said Yuchi, you should restrain yourself, who drinks like you?"

Yuchi Jingde squinted at him: "Are you not convinced? Come if you are not convinced!"

Li Daozong smiled bitterly, leaned closer to him, and said in a low voice: "Brother Jingde, this is in the palace, not your own house, and the Holy Majesty is still here, so don't embarrass the King of Han and the son-in-law. It's not good for anyone..."

"Li Daozong, please speak clearly. Why do you want me to embarrass them? I think highly of them when I drink with them. If it were you, a little prince of Jiangxia, I, Yuchi Jingde, would not think highly of them!"

When Li Daozong heard it, his face suddenly became uneasy, and he said seriously: "Brother Jingde, I only persuade you with good words because of my friendship for many years, don't be so kind as to be a donkey!"

"Stop teaching me!" Yuchi Jingde's eyes widened with anger, "I'm happy today, I can drink whatever I like, it's none of your business?!"

"Yuchi Jingde, keep your mouth clean!" Li Daozong was also angry, "This is the Taiji Palace, so you can't allow yourself to be wild and drunk!"

"Yo ho, I'm still fighting with me!" Yuchi Jingde slammed the silver wine jug on the ground viciously, raised his fist, and smashed Li Daozong's right eye involuntarily.

Li Daozong was caught off guard and fell to the ground on his back.

Faced with this sudden change, Li Yuanchang and Du He couldn't help but turn pale with shock, and were at a loss for what to do for a while.

Li Chengqian got up abruptly, with horror written all over his face.

Li Ke glanced at Li Chengqian indifferently, without making a sound.

The nearby royal relatives were all stunned by this scene, but most of the guests who were further away didn't notice it, and they were still pushing glasses and changing glasses, laughing and talking loudly.It wasn't until the emperor Li Shimin left the imperial couch expressionlessly and walked over step by step that the whole noisy hall slowly fell silent.Li Daozong hurriedly got up from the ground, his right eye socket was darkened, and his expression was really embarrassed.

Li Shimin walked between Yuchi Jingde and Li Daozong, looked left and right, and sneered: "Fight, why don't you fight? Both of you are the founding fathers of our Tang Dynasty, and they are both masters who have killed countless enemies on the battlefield. Today It's a match here! Very good, let's have a good fight in front of me and all the guests, let me see if the two are still young, and let everyone open their eyes to appreciate the two veterans His majestic posture and demeanor!"

Li Daozong was greatly embarrassed, and hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "My lord, forgive me, the minister and General Yuchi just... just had a misunderstanding, it was not a fight, and I hope the lord will find out."

At this time Yuchi Jingde finally came to his senses, and hurriedly knelt down: "Yes, what Li Shangshu said is right, I and Li Shangshu were just joking around, and didn't take it seriously..."

"Are you kidding me?" Li Shimin sneered, "You two together are a hundred years old, aren't you still so playful? Since your childlike innocence is still intact, why don't I let you go home and have fun with your grandchildren. Come on, you can have a good time, and I can't see it, isn't it good for everyone?"

Li Daozong and Yuchi Jingde looked at each other in blank dismay, neither of them dared to answer.

At this time, Li Chengqian was standing three steps behind Li Shimin, his right hand was tightly grasping the golden and jade walking stick that never left his body.His heart was beating violently, as if it was about to pop out of his chest at any time.

Yuchi Jingde's disturbance completely disrupted the original plan.

Originally, Li Chengqian's plan was to ask Du He to go to Qianqiu Hall and Chengqing Hall, summon more than a hundred guards of the East Palace who had been ambushing there in advance, and bring them over to surround Baifu Hall; After hearing the sound of the jug throwing the ground, one had to be ready, and only waited for the second signal - Li Chengqian kicked over a food table, and rushed in with people to kidnap the emperor and all the guests.

However, the damn Yuchi Jingde just happened to throw the jug, Han Cong must have mistakenly thought it was a signal from Li Chengqian, and he must have drawn his sword by now!
However, Du He couldn't get out right now, so he couldn't notify the staff of Qianqiu Hall and Chengqing Hall.Li Chengqian couldn't help worrying, if the 50 people outside the existing hall were used to launch an operation, would Li Anyan's 25 subordinates be able to obey his orders?What if they were frightened by the majestic power of their father and turned against each other later?
Li Chengqian was anxiously thinking about the countermeasures, and beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.

At this moment, Li Shimin suddenly shouted in a deep voice: "Come on!"

Li Chengqian's heart trembled suddenly, and he subconsciously clenched the gold and jade walking stick in his hand.The veins on the back of his hand were bulging due to too much force, and the joints of each finger were trembling slightly.

Hearing the emperor's order, the "forbidden army" outside was silent for a while, and then pushed the door open, and then Han Cong stepped into the door with nineteen men, and went straight to Li Shimin. come over.

Generally speaking, when the guards of the main hall heard the emperor's call, usually only two or four would come in, but now twenty people came in at once, this is absolutely abnormal!What's more, their expressions are so strange, and their faces are so strange!
Li Shimin's eyes were like lightning, and he shot at Han Cong suddenly: "Stop!"

The majesty of the Son of Heaven was indeed irresistible—although Han Cong and the others were extremely reluctant, they all stopped involuntarily.

Li Shimin was about to continue to drink and ask, when suddenly there was a soft "Keng" sound in his ear, with a long lingering sound.

This is obviously the sound of some kind of weapon being unsheathed, but it is different from a sword.At the palace banquet tonight, no one is allowed to bring weapons to the palace, who is so bold and reckless? !
Of course, Li Shimin would not have thought that the person who drew the weapon behind him was Li Chengqian; what made him even more unexpected was that Li Chengqian's weapon was actually drawn from the golden and jade walking stick that never left his body for a moment—this is a The "fine sword" is two feet long and has an extremely rare shape; because the blade is very narrow, it has shrunk into a three-sided shape at the edge of the sword, which looks more like a sharp awl.

At this moment, Li Chengqian was pressing the back of Li Shimin's neck with this unique rapier.

Now that the matter has come to this point, he has no choice but to hijack his father immediately.

Seeing this scene, everyone couldn't help being stunned, and the entire Baifu Hall fell silent.

Li Ke looked at Li Chengqian quietly, an imperceptible sneer flitted across the corner of his mouth.

Shangshusheng is located on the east side of Chengtianmen Street in the imperial city. It is a huge building with seven entrances, front and back.After Hou Junji led the crowd to enter, the guards were unprepared, so they were killed one after another.Hou Junji went all the way as if he was in no man's land, and he reached the halberd gate in front of the capital hall in a short while.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji and all the officials were still drinking happily in the brightly lit hall, and there was a lot of noise, and no one realized that a murderous opportunity was approaching.

Standing under the halberd gate, Hou Junji looked at Changsun Wuji's proud and smiling face from a distance, and a cold light shot out from his eyes.

Holding the bloody horizontal knife in his hand, he walked down the steps, strode into the courtyard, and approached the capital hall step by step along the bluestone corridor.

Sixty or seventy personal soldiers followed closely behind him, and everyone's eyes were shining with excitement and greed, as if a lifetime of wealth and honor was ahead and within easy reach.

Fifty steps, forty steps, thirty steps...

Until Hou Junji led the crowd to the center of the courtyard, the officials in the hall were still unaware.

At this moment, the corridors on both sides of the Dutang made a whistling sound of crossbow arrows piercing through the air.Immediately afterwards, a series of puffing sounds that were close at hand entered Hou Junji's eardrums.

Hou Junji stopped suddenly.

He knew that this was the blunt sound of crossbow arrows piercing flesh.

After the sound, the dozen or so soldiers on the left and right sides of him covered their bleeding necks and fell straight to the ground.

A wry smile appeared on Hou Junji's face—the thing he was most worried about finally happened!

A group of dark shadows came out from the darkness on both sides of the main entrance of the Dutang.At the same time, on the roof of the Dutang and the roofs of the corridors on both sides of the courtyard, rows of crossbowmen in black armor suddenly stood up, and all the crossbowmen in their hands aimed at Hou Junji and his men in the center of the courtyard.

The group of black shadows in the front slowly walked ten steps away and stood still, and then the leader took another step forward, and then said: "Hou Shangshu, today is the Shangyuan Festival. The whole world celebrates together, and the bright moon hangs high. It is so peaceful A beautiful night doesn't seem suitable for killing people, does it?"

Sure enough, as expected by Hou Junji, this person was Li Shiji.

"Li Shiji, how did you know that I was going to do it tonight?" What Hou Junji wanted to know most now was this matter.

"It's just a coincidence." Li Shiji smiled slightly, "On this beautiful occasion, I wanted to gather my brothers to have a good drink, but you ruined my elegance and insisted on finding me a job. Do you think you are too old? Isn't it kind?"

"You fart! How can there be such a coincidence in the world?" Hou Junji was furious, "Where did you hear the news?"

Li Shiji sighed and spread his hands: "You don't believe me, there's nothing you can do. It's okay, the matter has come to an end, it's useless for you to ask so much. Put down your weapons, it's a holiday today, don't die anymore."

At this time, Changsun Wuji, Liu Ji, Cen Wenwen, Fang Xuanling and other officials were all surprised when they heard the movement, and they went to the door one after another, wanting to see what was going on, but they were stopped by Huan Dieyi.

"Eldest grandson, my lords, it's not safe outside now, please don't come out for now."

"What happened?!" Changsun Wuji was puzzled.

"Someone conspired to rebel and led troops into Shangshu Province in an attempt to hijack you and all the officials. He killed dozens of guards outside."

"What?!" Changsun Wuji was surprised and angry, "Who is so bold?"

"Shangshu of the Ministry of Officials, Hou Junji."

Hearing these words, Changsun Wuji and others all looked at each other in blank dismay.Liu Ji gasped even more, and could hardly believe his ears.

In the courtyard, Hou Junji's soldiers were terrified and looked at their master, not knowing what to do.

Hou Junji's complexion was iron and his brows were deeply furrowed, but he held the horizontal knife in his hand even more tightly.

"Hou Shangshu, you have to think clearly!" Li Shiji emphasized his tone, "The life and death of the sixty or seventy lives under your hands are all in your mind. If you are obsessed with mistakes and make mistakes again and again, tomorrow In the morning, there will be hundreds more orphans and widows in Chang'an City!"

Hearing this, a soldier beside Hou Junji became more and more terrified, and said in a low voice: "My lord, a hero doesn't suffer from immediate losses. Now we still have a way out, why don't we... withdraw?"

Obviously, Li Shiji and his men entered through the back door of Shang Shusheng and ambushed here. If they were lucky, there should be no ambushes at the front door of Shang Shusheng—that is, the place where Hou Junji and the others just entered.This is what the so-called "retreat route" of this soldier refers to.

Hou Junji hesitated for a moment before sighing heavily: "Withdraw!"

As if receiving an amnesty, the soldiers surrounded Hou Junji and quickly retreated.

Seeing this, Pei Tinglong, who was standing behind Li Shiji, saw murderous intent in his eyes, stepped forward and said, "General, give orders to the crossbowmen, all of these people should be damned!"

At this time, as long as Li Shiji gave an order, the crossbowmen in three directions would fire crossbow arrows at the same time, enough to shoot Hou Junji and his men into hedgehogs.

"I just said," Li Shiji said lightly, "it was such a beautiful night, no one should die."

When Pei Tinglong heard this, he had no choice but to shut up angrily.

At the other end, Hou Junji and his guards had just retreated to the Jimen Gate, before they stepped up the steps, they were blocked by a group of Xuanjia guards who suddenly killed them.Hou Junji took a closer look and found that the leader was Luo Biao, the newly promoted commander of the Xuanjia Guards Brigade.

Luo Biao was holding something in his hand, and laughed loudly at him: "Hou Shangshu, you are leaving now? You are too dishonest, you have to take your family Hou Qi with you no matter what!" The things in it were thrown over.

Hou Junji stretched out his hand subconsciously, and what he caught was a bloody human head—the head of Hou Qi.

The soldiers beside him took a few steps back in fright.

Hou Junji smiled miserably.

"Everyone in the Hou Mansion, listen to me!" Li Shiji shouted from afar, "It's still too late for you to put down your weapons. I will appeal to the Holy One and only punish you for your crimes, not your family members. But if you go one way When it comes to darkness, the imperial court will punish you and other three clans for the crime of treason! Do you have the heart to let your parents, wives and children die with you?!"

All the soldiers heard that the last line of defense finally collapsed, so they threw away their weapons one after another and knelt down on the ground one by one.

"You bastards! Get up, Lao Tzu!" Hou Junji yelled hoarsely, his eyes tearing open.

"Hou Junji, don't be stubborn, save yourself a queen!" Li Shiji shouted again.

But Hou Junji threw away the head in his hand, brandished the horizontal knife, and rushed towards Li Shiji with a roar.

Pei Tinglong and the others were about to step forward, when Li Shiji stretched out his hand to stop him: "The opportunity is rare, don't grab it from me, let me practice my hand." After speaking, he slowly drew out the dragon's head knife at his waist, and walked towards the door with steady steps. Hou Junji greeted him.

Both of these two are battle-tested generals who have spent half their lives in the army, and their kung fu is not weak, so once they hand in hand, they kill inextricably.At this time the situation was under control, Changsun Wuji and the others all walked out of the capital hall to watch the battle from afar.But seeing the two figures tightly entangled with each other, sparks flew everywhere where the blades intersected, and it was hard to tell the winner for a while, which shocked all the civil servants.

However, after all, Hou Junji was seven or eight years older than Li Shiji, and his skill was also slightly inferior. After dozens of bouts, his footsteps became vain, and he gradually fell into a disadvantage.Li Shiji took aim at a flaw, blocked him horizontally with a single blow, and at the same time struck his chest hard with his left elbow.Hou Junji let go of the horizontal knife and flew backwards.

As soon as Li Shiji succeeded in the move, he rushed forward immediately, and before Hou Junji got up, the Dragon Head Saber in his hand was pressed against his chest.

"Hou Shangshu, please forgive me for speaking bluntly." Li Shiji sneered, "It is said that time is not forgiving, but your skill is far from what it was then!"

Hou Junji's face was ashen and he couldn't speak a word.

When Li Chengqian's sword tip touched Li Shimin's back neck, the atmosphere in Baifu Hall instantly froze.

Li Shimin didn't have to look back to know what happened.

"Chengqian, do you know what you are doing?" Li Shimin said indifferently, as if nothing happened, he was just chatting with his son.

"I know!" Li Chengqian said loudly, his voice trembling with nervousness, "I have had enough, I can only break the boat! Father, I blame you for being too biased and allowing the fourth younger brother to seize the heir, which led to this trouble today point."

Zhao Dequan had been following the emperor all the time, and his face was pale with fright at this moment, so he begged: "Your Highness, swords have no eyes, please don't hurt everyone, let's talk if you have anything to say..."

"Shut up!" Li Chengqian roared sharply, "You have no place to speak here!"

Zhao Dequan was so frightened that he didn't dare to speak anymore.

"Chengqian, are you going to kill me just because I love Qingque?" Li Shimin's voice was still calm.

"No, I don't want to kill you, I just want you to abdicate!"

"What if I say no?"

"You have no choice now."

"Oh? Listen to what you mean, don't you still want to kill me?"

"I..." Li Chengqian was at a loss for words, so he turned to Li Yuanchang, Du He, Han Cong and the others and shouted: "What are you still doing? Why don't you do anything?!"

Only then did everyone come back to their senses.Li Yuanchang and Du He each took out a dagger from their sleeves, and held Yuchi Jingde and Li Daozong hostage respectively, while Han Cong held Li Ke with a knife, and the other nineteen guards also held a group of princesses and Mrs. Gaoming hostage.These female guests had never seen such a battle, they all screamed, and two or three timid ones even fainted on the spot.

Just when Li Chengqian was secretly thankful that he was in control of the situation, the twenty real imperial guards in the courtyard outside the hall also rushed in.However, they did not help Li Chengqian hold the guests hostage, but drew their swords and pointed at Li Chengqian and his people.But Li Chengqian and the others had hostages in their hands, so they didn't dare to act rashly and could only confront each other with knives.

Li Chengqian looked at them in surprise, and finally realized what had happened - originally he was only worried that these people would be intimidated by his father Tianwei and turn against him, but now it seems that these people were clearly not on his side in the first place!
This also means that Li Anyan is not his own at all!

Li Chengqian's thoughts turned, and he understood everything in an instant.

Now it seems that Li Anyan is clearly pretending to take refuge in order to cheat his overall coup plan.But what puzzled Li Chengqian was: Since Li Anyan had already mastered the plan, why didn't he report it to his father?Could it be that he didn't dare to act rashly because his old mother, wife and children were held hostage by him?But until now, his family is still in his hands, so Li Anyan doesn't care about it at this moment?

Just when Li Chengqian was in a daze, Li Ke, who had been silent all this time, said, "Brother, let Father Emperor go, and I will be your hostage."

Li Chengqian sneered: "You are also my hostage now, what right do you have to bargain with me?"

"Really?" Li Ke was pointed at by Han Cong and two other guards with knives, but he showed no fear, instead he smiled slightly, "With these three knives, do you think it will scare me?"

When Han Cong heard this, he couldn't help but get angry, and turned his eyes to Li Chengqian, obviously hoping that he would issue an order to kill.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Ke, a look of unbearableness flashed in his eyes, but it was only fleeting.Soon, Han Cong saw the crown prince nodding slightly at him, and immediately said to Li Ke with a smirk, "His Royal Highness, you asked for it yourself, don't blame me for being cruel!"

Before the words were finished, Han Cong flicked his wrist, and the Qianniu knife slashed at Li Ke's neck with a cold light.At the same time, the two people standing behind Li Ke also drew their knives at the same time, one knife stabbed at his back, and the other knife fell from mid-air to his head.

These three people are all prepared by the Eastern Palace. They are all strictly selected from the children of the nobles. They have excellent aptitude and outstanding martial arts.

Seeing that Li Ke was inevitable, even Li Shimin, who was used to seeing killing and death, couldn't help but let out an exclamation.

In the blink of an eye, Li Ke suddenly grabbed Han Cong's blade, and immediately spun his body sharply, barely avoiding the knife in the back of his heart.The whole movement was done in one go, like flowing clouds and flowing water, and everyone in the hall couldn't help being stunned, even Yuchi Jingde, Li Daozong and a group of veteran officials couldn't help but cheered.

Li Chengqian was even more dumbfounded.

However, the Qianniu Knife is an exceptionally sharp weapon. Its name "Qianniu" comes from the meaning of "unable to break a thousand oxen". With a split in the air, his palm must have been bruised and severely injured.

Sure enough, a stream of blood flowed out from his palm and landed on the floor with a patter.

Han Cong never expected that Li Ke would be so brave. After a while, Li Ke grabbed his wrist with his left hand, while his right hand was still holding the blade. As soon as he sent it, the tip of the knife pierced Han Cong's jaw, directly penetrated into the head, and pierced the helmet from the top of the head.

Seeing such a terrifying scene, everyone was astonished, and even Li Shimin turned his head away quickly, unable to bear to take a closer look.

The other two wanted to attack again, but seeing this, they couldn't help but backed up a few steps, and their faces turned pale in an instant.

Li Ke drew out the Qianniu Dao, pointed the blade at them with a swipe, and the brains from the blade were thrown onto the faces of the two of them.This action alone forced the two of them back a few more steps.

Then, Li Ke turned around slowly and grinned at Li Chengqian: "Brother, can I change my father now?"

Li Chengqian's expression had already changed, and his sword hand trembled slightly.

Li Ke sneered and walked towards him.

"Don't come here!" Li Chengqian shook his hand, the point of the sword actually pierced the skin of Li Shimin's back neck, and bright red blood immediately oozed out.

Zhao Dequan next to him saw it and was so anxious that he was about to cry, but there was nothing he could do.

Seeing this, Li Ke had no choice but to stop.

"Li Ke, you can change your father if you want." Li Chengqian became furious, "Then stab yourself to show your sincerity!"

Li Ke was stunned.

Li Shimin's face was livid, and he said sharply without turning his head: "Chengqian, you can't be so shameless!"

"You forced me to be so shameless!" Li Chengqian roared angrily, almost losing his mind, "You have never been satisfied with me, but because I am the eldest son and Wei Zheng's old officials objected, you dare not make up your mind to abolish the elder. Liyou, right? But you are not reconciled, so you have to secretly indulge the fourth brother to seize the heir, and want us brothers to fight to see who is more capable. The fourth brother planned to frame me last year, and you clearly knew it, but you tried your best to protect him. Shamelessly deceiving the people of the world, am I right? Although you have neglected the fourth younger brother for a while, you doted on the third younger brother in the blink of an eye. To put it bluntly, don’t you still have the idea of ​​abolishing the establishment in your heart? Today in front of you In the face of so many clan relatives and veterans, do you dare to say aloud, have you never thought of abolishing the elders and setting up the young, abolishing the sons and setting up the concubine? I have to guard against this and that every day. I've had enough of this kind of life long ago! You forced me to get to where I am today!"

Li Shimin was shocked and closed his eyes in pain.

In fact, he already knew that Li Chengqian was dissatisfied with him, but he did not expect such deep hatred.As an emperor, as a father, to make his son hate him so much, Li Shimin couldn't help but feel a kind of heartache.

What made him feel even more painful was not only this point, but Li Chengqian's words actually revealed his inner contradiction to a certain extent.

Of course, Li Shimin was not as unbearable as Li Chengqian said in the matter of Li Tai seizing the heir, at least he could not intentionally condone Li Tai's seizing the heir, at best it was an unintentional mistake.But even so, he still had to admit that he did have the idea of ​​abolishing the elders and establishing the young, and abolishing the sons and daughters, and even today, this idea has not disappeared.

In this regard, Li Chengqian's remarks cannot be said to be completely unreasonable.Even though his behavior tonight is outrageous and unforgivable, his fear and anger are understandable and sympathetic.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin's heart was filled with guilt.

No matter what, it should be regarded as the dereliction of duty and failure of a prince's father that his own son and the prince he cultivated by himself have come to this point!
"Chengqian, if killing Zhen can appease the hatred in your heart, then you can do it!" Li Shimin smiled sadly, with endless sadness and vicissitudes written on his face.

Li Chengqian's hand shook again, and tears came out of his eyes involuntarily.

"Brother, I will do as you said, you let the father go!" Li Ke suddenly yelled, and immediately stabbed the thousand-ox knife into his thigh, bleeding profusely immediately.

Li Shimin's face turned pale with shock, and everyone present also exclaimed in unison.

Li Chengqian was stunned, he didn't expect Li Ke to really do this.

Li Ke threw away the Qianniu Dao and limped towards him with a smile on his face.

At this moment, Li Chengqian suddenly felt his head heavy, his eyes darkened, and his body shook accordingly.Li Shimin noticed it, turned around suddenly, and looked at him in confusion.

Li Chengqian's hand holding the sword finally dropped powerlessly.

Before his body lost his balance, he tried his best to show Li Shimin a bleak smile, and then fell backwards.

Li Shimin rushed up and hugged him tightly: "Go!"

"Father, I'm sorry, my son doesn't want to do this either..."

When Li Chengqian closed his eyes, he felt the warmth of his father, a warmth that had been forgotten for many years...

(End of this chapter)